Gardner Minshew: Passing on Alabama opportunity was 'so tough'

While none of Alabama's current quarterbacks were available to the media during the interview session at the Manning Passing Academy last week, there was someone in there who was almost a member of this year's Crimson Tide quarterback room.

Gardner Minshew, the graduate transfer quarterback from East Carolina who committed to the Tide in February but ultimately decided to transfer to Washington State, was a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy and reflected on his decision to choose Washington State over Alabama.

It's well-known at this point that Minshew, who wants to be a coach down the road, originally chose the Tide because he believed a year at Alabama would help him get into coaching. According to Minshew, Nick Saban had promised he would eventually hire him as a graduate assistant. Nonetheless, Washington State ended up selling Minshew on the opportunity to play for Mike Leach, who said early in his first conversation with Minshew, "So do you want to come lead the country in passing?"

"It was so tough (passing up the Alabama opportunity)," Minshew said at the Manning Passing Academy. "I have so much respect for that staff. I do want to get into coaching eventually, and it's like going to Harvard school for coaching. So yeah, that was tough to turn down. And I have so much respect for Coach Enos, who recruited me mostly, and Coach Saban. But I think I have a great opportunity at Washington State and I'm looking forward to that."

For Alabama, Minshew would have primarily been insurance in case one of the Tide's current quarterbacks transferred before the season.

He realized he would probably never be the Tide's starting quarterback.

It's different at Washington State, which needs a new starting QB.

"Ultimately, I'm a player and I have a little bit of time left to play and I'm going to give it all I've got," said Minshew, who started five games as a junior at East Carolina last season. "My goal since I've been a kid is to play in the NFL. That's what I've got to do. I've got to chase that dream. And the coaching, it will be there."

Alabama wasn't the only SEC school that Washington State beat out for Minshew.

Tennessee recruited Minshew. There was also late contact from Arkansas and LSU.

"It was a whirlwind," said Minshew, who left East Carolina in late January. "But I'm very fortunate to take the path I've taken. I've met a lot of people, made a lot of great connections, but I'm ultimately so glad to be where I'm at. I think I'm in a great place."

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.